Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

SB 118
                       Department of Legislative Services
                             Maryland General Assembly
                                   2021 Session
                           FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
                                 Third Reader
Senate Bill 118                 (Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee)(By Request -
                                Departmental - Public Safety and Correctional Services)
Judicial Proceedings                                                           Judiciary
            Correctional Services - Warrant Apprehension Unit - Transfer
This departmental bill codifies the transfer of the Warrant Apprehension Unit (WAU)
within the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services’ (DPSCS) Division of
Parole and Probation (DPP) to the Intelligence and Investigative Division (IID) in the
department. The authorizations and requirements for WAU are not changed by the bill.
                                    Fiscal Summary
State Effect: None. The bill codifies existing practice.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: DPSCS has determined that this bill has minimal or no impact on
small business (attached). The Department of Legislative Services concurs with this
assessment.
                                        Analysis
Current Law: WAU within DPSCS is authorized to (1) execute warrants for the retaking
of offenders; (2) execute warrants for the arrest of probationers for whom a warrant is
issued for an alleged violation of probation; (3) obtain and execute search warrants in
connection with offenders in the State’s home detention program as authorized by statute;
and (4) arrest offenders in the State’s home detention program as authorized by statute.
WAU employees who are authorized to make arrests must meet minimum qualifications
required by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission and satisfactorily
complete training prescribed by the commission. An employee in the unit who is authorized
to make arrests is also authorized to exercise the powers of a peace officer and a police
officer.
Background: DPSCS reports that WAU was operationally transferred to IID in 2015.
Since that time, the unit’s role has been expanded to serve the Division of Correction, the
department’s Human Resources Services Division, and other special operations and not
only DPP.
Specifically, WAU assists in apprehending individuals who walk off or abscond from the
department’s Home Detention program. The unit also assists IID with serving indictments
and warrant service during special operations. WAU serves termination papers on certain
DPSCS employees after separation from the agency. Further, the unit has specially trained
officers who can rapidly respond when called upon to provide protection to DPSCS
leadership when threats are made against the Secretary or other personnel.
DPSCS currently employs approximately 66 sworn law enforcement officers – 39 directly
in IID and 27 under WAU. WAU currently has 26 sworn detectives, 3 lieutenants,
1 research analyst, 1 major, and 1 chief.
                               Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services;
Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History:      First Reader - January 11, 2021
rh/lgc                    Third Reader - February 2, 2021
Analysis by: Shirleen M. E. Pilgrim                    Direct Inquiries to:
                                                       (410) 946-5510
                                                       (301) 970-5510
SB 118/ Page 2
             ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES
TITLE OF BILL:        Correctional Services – Warrant Apprehension Unit – Transfer
BILL NUMBER:          SB 118
PREPARED BY:          Catherine Kahl, Deputy Director, Government & Legislative Affairs
PART A. ECONOMIC IMPACT RATING
This agency estimates that the proposed bill:
       _X_       WILL HAVE MINIMAL OR NO ECONOMIC IMPACT ON MARYLAND SMALL
                 BUSINESS
                               OR
                 WILL HAVE MEANINGFUL ECONOMIC IMPACT ON MARYLAND SMALL
                 BUSINESSES
PART B. ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
SB 118/ Page 3
Statutes affected: 
Text - First - Correctional Services - Warrant Apprehension Unit - Transfer: 10-702 Correctional Services, 2-207 Correctional Services, 2-101 Criminal Procedure, 3-101 Public Safety, 3-201 Public Safety, 26-201 Public Safety, 26-202 Public Safety, 26-203.1 Public Safety, 26-203.4 Public Safety
Text - Third - Correctional Services - Warrant Apprehension Unit - Transfer: 10-702 Correctional Services, 2-207 Correctional Services, 2-101 Criminal Procedure, 3-101 Public Safety, 3-201 Public Safety, 26-201 State Personnel and Pensions, 26-202 State Personnel and Pensions, 26-203.1 State Personnel and Pensions, 26-203.4 State Personnel and Pensions